Record



' July 11,1944. Y R, w SEARSy 2D A 2,353,369

RECORD Filed Nov. 5, 1941 2 sheets-sheet 1 July 11, 1944. R.w.'sEARs, 2D 2,353,369

RECORD -Filed Nov. 5, 1941 2 sheets-sheet 2 @www Patented July 11, 194.4

' UNITED S'IATEfS PATENT OFFICE RECORD Richard W. Sears, II, Evanston, Ill.

Application November 5, 1941, Serial No. 417,893 1o claims. (Cheri-4.2)

This invention relatesto `records for recording sound, from which sound reproductions may be made., i l

An important object of the present invention is the'provision of a new and improved typefof record, whereby there may be'embodied within the record, during the manufacture' thereof, one or more means for permitting or allowing the record to be autographedv by the author or recorder. Y

Another important object of the invention is the provision of la record which is provided with an underlying protective paper or coating adapted to receive the imprint of the authors signature or symbol, and when signed or autographed leave i some permanent identification or record asV to the Asigning or autographing of the record.

A further object is to provide a record having a recording surface upon which the sound waves may be cut or embossed and a lower orunderlying surface adapted to receive the authors signature or symbol which is incapable of Ybeing removed without leaving some telltale evidence.

A still further object of the` invention is to provide a disk-like record having an exterior surface upon which sound waves may be cut or embossed, there being a cut-out provided in the outer surface to allowthe author of the record to sign the record whereby there is provided a lower surface of safety paper to receive theimprint, of the signature and leave some evidenceA to indicate that the signature had been tampered with if such were the fact. i

Still another object of the invention is to provide a disk-like record having embodied therein, preferably during the manufacture thereof, a

sheet of transfer material such as carbon paper which is adapted to show thesignature or other indicia marked upon the surface of the record.

Still another object of the invention is .the provision of means embodied within the upper and lower surfaces of the record to permit easy mutilation and destruction of the record when desired.

Still another object of the invention is toprovide a record which is provided with a surface adapted to have sound waves cut, embossed 4or otherwise `provided therein, which is provided with a lower surface beneath the sound recording surface to receive the signature or other indicia of the author or remarks or instructions, which is provided with means whereby a writing on the record surface by a stylus pencil or otherwise will be visible, which is provided with means whereby a duplicate of the signature may be retained if and Vwhich the surfaces 8 and 9 are secured or by the signer so that a comparison may be made with the signature on the record itself to determine its genuineness, which is provided with means for permitting removal but preventing replacement of the same or another transfer sheet,

'which is provided with means to permit a signature to be applied on the face of the record below its normal recording surface, and which is provided with means within the body of the record to permit quick and easy mutilation or destruction of the record.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a record which is provided with means whereby certain information or data may be transmitted with the assurance that the recipient will receive the original genuine data carried by the record with undeniable proof that the recorded data is the authorship of the original author or recorder, there being new and improved means to provide certain indicia, symbols or signature means to indicate the genuine authorship.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress ofthe follow- 'ing specification.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a selected embodiment of the inventionand the views therein are as follows:

Fig. l isa detail plan view of a record and embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view on` the line Fig. 3 is a'detail sectional view on the line 3 3 of FgVl.v

Fig. 4 is aldetail perspective view of the improved record showing the transfer sheet removed therefrom and the manner in which the record may be mutilated by the manipulation of an imbedded ribbon.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view taken radially of the record on the line 5-5 of *fig` 4, showing the transfer means in position.

Y Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the transfer means removed therefrom.

Fig. '7 is a detail sectional view of the line 1-1 of Fig. 4.

The particular record herein shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention may comprise an upper or top recording surface 8, a lower or bottom surface 9 which may also be a re cording surface like the upper recording surface 8, and an intermediate or central section I0 to other'- wise attached.`

The upper recording surface 8 of the record,

as well as the bottom surface 9 thereof, if the record is a double disk record, that is, a disk record having a recording surface on each of two opposite sides, is adapted to be made of any suitable material such as plastic, metal or other material in which proper sound waves may be cut or formed. The upper surface 8, or in the case of a double disk record, also the lower surface 9 may be provided with a cut out portion I I to expose the intermediate or central section I0. The intermediate or central section I 'may be material I2 having safety printing I3 on each surface so that the author of the recordation A may sign the record to indicate the authorship any tampering with the signature will be readily and instantly discernible.

Instead 'of having iature or the like to both the backing and the under surface of the recording member, the transfer sheet may be double carbon paper that is capable of transferring from both sides and one or more sheets I8 may be radially inserted in slots II properly positioned in the body of the record. In cases where the record is made of a smooth, transparent material such as a plastic, and it is relatively impossible to transfer the signature by ythe carbon process tothe under surface of the members 8 or 9, 'then a thin sheet of tissue paper 2| may be applied on the top of the carbon paper vso that the signature can be seen through the transparent material, the writing in such cases In the latter case the tissue paper will be left intact Within the body of the record andthe carbon paper may be resingle ply of double material I2 having a safety surface I3 on each side thereof, the material'IZ may be separate upper and lower sheets :as indicated at I4 and I5, the outer surface of each being provided with the safety printing I3.

In cases where the opposedv single faced material I2 is provided the intermediateI ller or section I8 may include 4a ller spacing member I 6.' It is immaterialwhether both the faces 8 and 9 are surfaces upon which sound waves may be cut or Vwhether the record is single faced. It is also immaterial whether the central section III comprises a single sheet having double faced safety printing thereon or if there be separate sheets I4 and I5 mounted upon a central filler I6. The invention contemplates the use of a safety material upon which the author may place his signature whether it be a single or double disk record.

The invention further contemplates the provision of additional means for receiving .and-permanently associating a signature, autographndicia, or other symbol of the author with. the record. This latter embodiment may comprise the provisionof one or morerecesses I'I Aprov vided intermediate the upper and-lower surfaces If the record is a single disk record 8 and 9. or a double disk record using the single sheet of double-faced safety material I2, then perhaps only one recess I'I is required, but wherethe record is of the type embodying a ller Il! having the central filler section-I6 and the upper and lower sheets I4 and I5, spaced upper and lower recesses I1, Fig. 4, are preferably provided. The recess or recesses I'I are adaptedto receive a sheet of transfer material I8 which may be carbon paper, either single or double-faced, depending uponv the construction of thel body of the record. The transfer member I8 is adapted to be incorporated-in the body of the record during the manufacture thereof, and is positioned so as to provide aV pull out tab I9. After the record has been completed, the author may sign his name Vas indicated at 2|), Fig. 4, by exerting pressure on the upper face ofthe record, it being made of flexible: material, whereby the signature is transferred to either the safety paper, the under side of the recording surface or both and, if the recording surface 8 or 9 is made of transparent or translucent material, can be readily seen, whenfthe transfer member I8 is removed. The signature will also appear on the transfer lmember as well as being permanently applied Ato the body of the record. It will be readily understood that the application of the signature may be made preliminary to the sound recording. lIn

lcases where it-is desiredl to transfer the signamoved if desired or the carbon paper may be left 'in position in contact with the tissue paper so that the signature will be plainly visible through the transparent ortranslucent recording surface. The filler III whether comprising a single sheet of material I2 or whether including .the parts I4, I5 and I6 may be'provided with a tongue 2 2 formed therein so that should the transfer sheet I8 be removed it will be impossible to reinsertgit again. Y v

It is often desirable that some means beprovided to indicate on the record that the purpose for which it was intended has been satisfied, much in the same manner in which a stenographer checks off her sheets of shorthand notes, and to facilitate such an indication, as well as to assist in mutilating or destroying the record,v a ribbon of wire 23 or other suitable material may be incorporated in the body of the record. This ribbon 23 may include an outwardly extending tab 24 so that it may be easily grasped by the hand, as indicated in Fig. 4, andpulled so as to break the recordingsurface'. As many of these ribbons 23 as required rmay be inserted in the body of the record. These-ribbons 23 may extend from the center outwardly and radially or. they may extend completely across the entire record as indicated Vin Fig. 4.

The transfer sheet I8 may also be used for the purpose of providing indications 25 or other symbols to show the beginning and end of a message or a certain type of recordation.

A conventional circular label 26 may be applied to the surface 8 and also the lower surface 9 .if desired for advertising purposes, instructions or other dataor material in the usual manner.

- The invention provides a record of the conventional disk type, whether single or double` surfaced, but contemplates the use of means for per# -mitting the autographing or signing of the record by the author in the same manner in which a conventional letter is signed by the writer. -The invention also includes means to definitely indicate the genuineness of the authorship and to prevent forgeryl or to give some telltaleevidence should the signature be tampered with. Moreover, the invention'includes an element which is adaptable to be withdrawn, but which is prevented from being replaced and in this connection the invention has some similarity to applicants co-pending application, Serial No. 405,965 filed August 8,

1941, upon which Letters Patent No. 2,316,815 issued on April 20, 1943. However, this co-pen'ding application does not include the specific elements of construction, the manner of embodying the elements, nor the means for effecting the j-mutilationv of the record. i

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

l. A disk record having a sound recording surface on each of its opposed sides, a filler intermediate the opposed surfaces, said filler having a depressed portion on each side thereof, a layer of safety paper adjacent each side of the filler and conforming therewith, said depressed portions of the filler providing a space between each recording surface and the safety paper, and a removable transfer sheet arranged in each space to imprint on the adjacent safety paper an inscription impressed on a recording surface by the use of a stylus.

2. A disk record having a sound recording surface on each of its opposed sides, a filler intermediate the opposed surfaces, said filler having a depressed portion on each side thereof, a layer of safety paper adjacent each side of the filler and conforming therewith, said depressed portions of the filler providing a space between each recording surface and the safety paper, and a removable transfer sheet arranged in each space to imprint on the adjacent safety paper an inscription impressed on a recording surface by the use of a stylus, each recording surface having a cutout portion whereby an inscription may be made directly on the safety paper.

3. A disc record comprising a disc having a sound recording surface portion of flexible material and a backing portion integrally united with said first mentioned portion for a major part of the adjacent area of said surface portion and separated therefrom for the remainder of said area so as to provide a recess for the reception of a transfer means, said backing portion having a surface for receiving an inscription by transfer.

4. A disc record comprising a disc having a transparent sound recording surface portion of flexible material and a backing portion integrally united with said first mentioned portion for a major part of the adjacent area of said surface portion and separated therefrom for the remainder of said area so as to provide a recess for the reception of a transfer means, said backing portion having a surface for receiving an inscription by transfer.

5. A disc record comprising a unitary disc having a sound recording surface portion of flexible material and a safety paper backing portion integrally united with said first mentioned portion for a major part of the adjacent area of said surface portion and separated therefrom for the remainder of said area so as to provide a recess for the reception of a transfer means.

6. A disc record comprising a disc having a sound recording surface portion of flexible material and a backing portion capable of receiving an impression by transfer integrally united with said first mentioned portion for a major part of the adjacent area of said surface portion and separated therefrom for the remainder of said area so as to provide a recess for the reception of a transfer means,

7. A disc record comprising a disc having a sound recording surface portion of flexible material and a backing portion integrally united with said first mentioned portion for a major part of the adjacent area of said surface portion and separated therefrom for the remainder of said area so as to provide a recess for the reception of a transfer sheet, and a transfer sheet removably received in said recess, said backing portion having a surface for receiving an inscription by transfer, the parts being conformed and arranged whereby upon indicia being impressed on the recording surface portion said indicia will be transferred to the said surface of the backing portion.

8. A disc record comprising a disc having a sound recording portion of flexible material and a backing portion capable of receiving an impression by transfer integrally united withl said first mentioned portion for a major part of the adjacent area of said surface portion and separated therefrom for the remainder of said area so as to provide a recess for the reception of a transfer means, and a radially disposed ribbon embedded in the record adjacent said rst mentioned portion, said ribbon having a portion projecting beyond the edge of the record to provide a pulling tab, whereby the recording surface may be mutilated by exerting a pull on the ribbon.

9. A disc record comprising a disc having a sound recording surface portion of flexible material and a cut away portion therein arranged in spaced relation with the axis of said disc, a safety paper backing portion integrally united with said surface portion for a major part of the adjacent area of said surface portion and separated from said surface portion for the remainder of said area so as to provide a recess for the reception of a transfer means, and transfer means removably received in said recess, the parts being conformed and arranged whereby an inscription may be applied through said opening directly on the safety paper and upon indicia being impressed on the surface portion said indicia wil-l be transferred to the safety paper backing portion.

10. A disc record having a sound recording surface on each of its opposed sides, a filler intermediate the opposed surfaces, said filler having a depressed portion on each side thereof, a layer of safety paper adjacent each side of the filler and conforming therewith, said depressed portions of the filler providing a space between each playing surface and the safety paper, and a removable transfer sheet arranged in each of said spaces to imprint on the adjacent safety paper an inscription impressed on a recording surface by the use of a stylus or other instrument, there being in each recording surface an opening whereby a surface of the safety paper will be exposed to receive a signature, and a radially disposed ribbon embedded in the record between each recording surface and the adjacent safety paper whereby the recording surface may be mutilated by exerting a pull on the ribbon, a portion of the ribbon projecting beyond the edge of the record to provide a pulling tab.

RICHARD w. SEARS, n. 

